Analog Devices Inc. ADL5502-EVALZ

Overview

ADL5502-EVALZ from Analog Devices is an evaluation board designed to characterize the ADL5502 crest factor detector IC - a true RMS and envelope peak-hold power detector operating from 450 MHz to 6 GHz. It supports RF input impedance of 500 Ω, delivers ±0.25 dB rms and envelope detection accuracy over temperature, and enables crest factor measurement of W-CDMA, CDMA2000, and OFDM waveforms with up to 35 dB dynamic range.

For engineers reviewing the ADL5502-EVALZ datasheet, ADL5502-EVALZ setup guide, ADL5502-EVALZ RF calibration procedure, or ADL5502-EVALZ signal integrity validation, this board provides full access to the ADL5502's VRMS, PEAK, CNTL, ENBL, and RFIN interfaces - enabling accurate crest factor analysis, envelope tracking verification, and high-frequency power detector qualification in lab and pre-production environments.

Technical Context

The ADL5502-EVALZ implements a complete test platform for the ADL5502 monolithic BiCMOS crest factor detector, featuring 75 Ω RF input termination, on-board 0.1 µF decoupling at VPOS, configurable FLTR capacitor pads (0–22 nF), and buffered SMA-connected VRMS/PEAK outputs. It replicates the reference hardware configuration shown in Figure 31 and Figure 35 of the ADL5502 datasheet Rev. A.

Board-level design supports dual-mode operation: real-time envelope tracking (CNTL = VPOS) and peak-hold capture (CNTL = GND), with enable/disable control via ENBL. Signal path layout maintains controlled 50 Ω impedance from RFIN to internal device, and output traces are optimized for <2 pF loading on PEAK to preserve >10 MHz envelope bandwidth.

Key Specifications

Availability

ADL5502-EVALZ is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for RF power measurement validation, 5G NR transmitter characterization, W-CDMA base station development, and high-crest-factor waveform analysis requiring stable component supply and documented evaluation infrastructure.

Supply support for ADL5502-EVALZ includes scheduled delivery planning, volume procurement assistance, BOM continuity management, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle availability coordination for OEM customers, industrial embedded developers, connected-device designers, and electronics production programs.

Manufacturer

Analog Devices, Inc. is a global leader in high-performance analog, mixed-signal, and digital signal processing semiconductors, headquartered in Norwood, MA.

The ADL5502-EVALZ belongs to Analog Devices' RF & Microwave Detector Evaluation Platform family, engineered specifically to accelerate validation of true RMS and envelope detectors in wireless infrastructure, aerospace, and test equipment applications.

FAQ

What is the primary function of the ADL5502-EVALZ?

The ADL5502-EVALZ is a fully assembled evaluation board for the ADL5502 crest factor detector IC. Its primary function is to provide engineers with a calibrated, ready-to-use platform to measure true RMS power, envelope peak hold, and crest factor (peak-to-RMS ratio) of complex modulated RF signals from 450 MHz to 6 GHz - supporting rapid prototyping and performance verification without custom PCB design.

Does the ADL5502-EVALZ require external power supplies or signal sources?

Yes - the ADL5502-EVALZ requires a single 2.5 V to 3.3 V DC supply applied to the VPOS header (or via onboard regulator if configured), an RF signal source connected to the RFIN SMA port, and oscilloscope or ADC instrumentation connected to VRMS/PEAK SMA outputs. No onboard RF generation or power regulation is integrated; it is a passive evaluation interface per ADL5502 datasheet Figure 31 and Figure 35.

How is crest factor calculated using the ADL5502-EVALZ?

Crest factor is calculated as the ratio of the ADL5502-EVALZ's PEAK output voltage (in peak-hold mode, CNTL = GND) to its VRMS output voltage, after both channels are calibrated per ADL5502 datasheet Section "Calculation of Crest Factor (CF)". The board preserves the ADL5502's inherent channel matching, enabling accurate CF measurement without post-processing - e.g., a 5.8 dB W-CDMA reverse link waveform yields consistent PEAK/VRMS voltage ratios across temperature and frequency per Figure 23.

Can the ADL5502-EVALZ be used with 50 Ω systems despite its 75 Ω RFIN termination?

Yes - the ADL5502-EVALZ's 75 Ω RFIN termination is specified per ADL5502 datasheet test conditions (Table 1, "Test Conditions") and ensures optimal linearity and error performance. For 50 Ω systems, users may insert a broadband 50 Ω–75 Ω matching pad (≤0.1 dB loss) between source and RFIN; measured performance degradation remains within ±0.25 dB error bands per Figures 6 and 8 when using standard RF adapters.

What is the maximum envelope modulation bandwidth supported on the ADL5502-EVALZ?

The ADL5502-EVALZ supports the full 10 MHz envelope modulation bandwidth of the ADL5502 IC when the FLTR capacitor is omitted (CFLTR = 0) and low-capacitance (<2 pF) probing is used on the PEAK output, as confirmed by datasheet Figure 22 and Figure 33. With 10 nF FLTR, bandwidth reduces to ~5 MHz - a trade-off explicitly documented in the ADL5502 datasheet Section "Selecting the Square-Domain Filter".